ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) is preparing to assume responsibility of more than two dozen police facilities as the transition to the citizen-led Board of Police Commissioners continues.
On Tuesday, Board President Chris Saracino requested the Board’s Budget, Finance and Audit Committee to explore hiring a third-party contractor to conduct a full assessment of the facilities that will be under the control of SLMPD again after many of the properties suffered years of delayed maintenance.
“These buildings are not just offices — they are operational hubs where officers begin their shifts, store equipment and coordinate emergency response,” said President Saracino. “We must ensure the resources are in place to maintain them safely and responsibly.”
The Board recently submitted its estimated Fiscal Year 2027 expenditures of $250 million to City Hall, which reflects roughly 18% of the City of St. Louis’ general revenue and outlines the resources the SLMPD believes are necessary to operate effectively.
President Saracino said the Board is now identifying deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs across several police facilities.
“An independent evaluation will help the Board clearly understand the condition of these buildings and plan responsibly for the future,” said President Saracino. “Facility maintenance is a real and measurable cost of operating a modern police department.”
Chief of Police Robert J. Tracy said police facilities operate around the clock and support critical public safety operations.
“Our buildings operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and support patrol operations, investigations, specialized units and fleet services,” said Chief Tracy. “When infrastructure begins to fail — whether it’s HVAC systems, roofs or plumbing — it can affect operations, response readiness and the work environment for our officers and professional staff.”
Chief Tracy said ensuring safe, reliable facilities is an important part of supporting the men and women who serve the City of St. Louis.
“The officers and professional staff of this department work incredibly hard to serve our community,” said Chief Tracy. “They deserve facilities that are safe, functional and capable of supporting their mission.”
Some of the properties and buildings that will soon be under the responsibility of the SLMPD include the Police Academy, the former and current Headquarters building, North Patrol, Central Patrol, South Patrol, Crime Lab, Communications, and the K9 training property.
The Department’s initial property list has been submitted to the City of St. Louis by the Transition Director and the Board will work toward responsible decisions regarding the transfer of properties and a long-term strategic capital plan to improve the ones acquired.
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